Effects of Rapid Response Trauma Team in Thoracic
Injuries in Northern Trauma Center Level I
Kaweesak Chittawatanarat MD, PhD, FRCST*,
Chagkrit Ditsatham MD*, Kamtone Chandacham MD, FRCST*,
Tidarat Jirapongcharoenlap MD, FRCST*, Narain Chotirosniramit MD, FRCST*
Affiliation :
* Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Background and
Objective : Associated thoracic injury is the first priority at the initial assessment and its outcomes are
time-dependent. Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University organized a rapid response trauma team (RRTT) at mid-year
2006. The aims of this present paper were to report the effects of RRTT regarding outcomes of thoracic injury.
Material and Method: We performed a retrospective review for admitted thoracic injury patients between January 2004
and September 2009. The interval prior to July 2006 was defined as “before RRTT” and the latter as “after RRTT”. The
severity-adjusted mortality was calculated.
Results : During the 69 months, 951 patients were included (427 in “before RRTT”, 524 in “after RRTT”). Although the
severity injury score (ISS) was significantly lower before RRTT, the severe trauma patients (ISS >15) had a significantly
higher mortality (25.3% vs. 15.3%; p = 0.01). RRTT significantly improved the mortality odds ratio in the overall and severe
trauma [0.39 (0.22-0.68); p<0.01 and 0.43 (0.25-0.73); p<0.01]. Subgroup analysis found to have positive effects with the
RRTT in maxillofacial, head, and orthopedics associated injuries.
Conclusion : RRTT for thoracic injuries in the tertiary level I trauma center could decrease the severity-adjusted mortality,
especially in severe trauma patients.
Keywords : Rapid response trauma team, Mortality, Thoracic injury, Severe trauma
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